FOR Julie Harling every home she lives in has got to be a “project”.

Julie has revamped all the properties she has owned, including the Moor Lane, Netherton, home she has lived in for the last 12 years.

Now she’s got her eye on the next project.

She said: “I love a good project and the homes I’ve had have needed quite a bit of work.

“For me, the most important thing is being able to put my own stamp on a house. There is a massive feeling of satisfaction after the work is completed, knowing that I have really added to the house.”

Julie, who works for Scrivens Opticians in Huddersfield, has lived in Netherton for decades and fell in love with her 1930s detached house as soon as she clapped eyes on it.

She says: “I used to walk past it all the time and I would tell my husband that I wanted it to be ours. I was delighted when we got it!

“I was drawn to it because it was such an individual house. It really stood out and I knew there was scope to do a lot to it and really make it our own.”

Julie really fell for the house, which she has shared with husband Richard and their two sons, but the outdated interior meant that she was in for a long, hard slog transforming it into the cosy, modern home that she had in mind.

She explains: “When we bought it the house needed everything doing to it. It needed a total refurbishment, from basics like new electrics and central heating to updating the kitchen, which had been in since the 1950s.

“We’ve spent the last 10 years doing up the house, so it’s been an ongoing project as we’ve added and changed bits and pieces as we’ve gone along.

“The latest thing we had done was 18 months ago when we had a big extension put on. That has made a massive difference, adding a huge amount of space to the house.

“We’ve been lucky because a lot of family members have been able to help us.

“My husband was quite hands on with the work, while I was more involved with the finishing touches!”

Having lavished years of hard work on the house Julie and her family have lovingly created a well-thought- out home that perfectly suited their needs as a growing family.

The downstairs space includes a spacious lounge, featuring a rustic brick fireplace and sleekly-designed kitchen with light oak units and a breakfast area which runs out on to the outside decking area.

On the first floor the space includes four spacious bedrooms, including the master bedroom, which has a luxurious en suite bathroom with a large walk-in shower.

The back of the property looks on to a superb, very private and spacious garden, which includes apple trees, a barbecue and decking area and summerhouse.

For finishing touches to the interior of the property Julie mixed contemporary and classic styles and pieces of furniture to create a home that feels welcoming and cosy.

She says: “I like classic furniture in light oak; I love my dining room tables and chairs from Headrow Furnishers in Huddersfield.

“I don’t have lots of clutter but my home has a lived-in look. It’s a very welcoming house for when we have our family and friends round.”

The extension has made a massive difference to the property, affording Julie her the luxury of being able to add all the extra living space she’s ever wanted.

She says: “I’m extremely pleased with how well the extension turned out. We had a really good builder and we’ve had so many comments about how good it looks and how it looks like it was originally part of the house.

“It’s created a lot of extra living space. It enabled me to add on the en suite, which is my favourite room because it adds that little bit of extra luxury. It also enabled me to have the big breakfast kitchen I’ve always wanted.”

For Julie, living in a place such as Netherton perfectly suits her needs.

She explains: “It’s a lovely village. It has everything you need; good schools, the post office and shops nearby, and everybody seems to go out of their way to help each other.

“I’ve lived here for 47 years and I think it’s one of the best areas in Huddersfield to live in. But them I am a bit biased!”

Julie and her husband have decided to sell their home to move on to different projects.

Julie says: “It’s a fabulous family house and I think the fact that I’ve put my own mark on it, and spent so long doing so, will make it that little bit more difficult to leave.

“But I’m ready to move on to the next challenge!

“It’s a great, one-of-a-kind home; there really is nothing else like it out there.”

l Chimneys, Moor Lane, Netherton, is on the market for £420,000. To arrange a viewing contact Boultons estate agents on 01484 515029.